A 40-YEAR-OLD man has gone missing after a crocodile attacked him on Tuesday night whilst on a diving trip on a reef in Ughele Village on Rendova Island in the Western Province.
After yells, splashes and torchlight flashes, Kocha varnished with the deadly croc that attacked him.
Munda Police confirmed to Solomon Star in an interview yesterday that they have received information about the incident. They said it was reported to the station by an elder from Ughele.
The police said at 9 pm on Tuesday this week, Kocha went to dive at a reef just outside of Ughele when he met his fate.
Whilst diving, a croc got hold of him. Kocha, being a matured man tried to fight back against the sea monster at sea but could not make it.
Police said as Kocha struggled with the croc, he yelled and his diving torch beamed into the air, alerting villagers that something dreadful unfolded at sea.
Since the reef is just a few metres from the village, people managed to hear his voice and immediately ran towards direction his voice came from in a bid to rescue him.
When the villagers arrived at the scene, they could not find Kocha, except for a diving gun, diving torch and a canoe with two speared fish.
A search was immediately activated for Kocha throughout the night but there was no sign of him.
Police said the search for Kocha is still on and that the entire village people have teamed up for the search.
Police said Kocha is from Guadalcanal Province and is married to a woman of Ughele.
This is a shocking incident to the people of Ughele as it was the first of such incident to occur in the village.
Police were not able to join the village search team due to logistical problem.
In light of the tragic incident, Police are warning people to take precautionary measures while going out to sea at night.
By LACHLAN EDDIE HOE
Solomon Star, Honiara
